Convertible toy



Nov. 5, 1963 o. A. THORSON 3,109,645

CONVERTIBLE TOY Filed Oct. 27, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. LE A- THOESON A-r-roeuavs Nov. 5, 1963 o so 3,109,645

CONVERTIBLE TOY Filed Oct. 27, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

OLE A-THO!2$QN ATT YS United States Patent .Ofiice 3,109,645 3 Patented Nov. 5, 1963 3,109,645 (IONVER'IIBLE TOY Ole A. Thorson, 371 6 Grchard Ave. N., Robbinsdale, Minn. Filed Oct. 27, 1961, Ser- No. 148,115 9 Claims. (Cl. 272-54) This invention relates generally to playthings and recreational devices for children, and in particular to a multipurpose toy having features of ready convertibility, which may be used either as a teeter-totter, or in a variety of forms of rolling toys.

One basic component of the elements involved in the present invention is described and claimed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 148,116, filed October 27, 1961, now Patent No. 3,083,052, granted March 26, 1963, to which reference should be had for a detailed description. Briefly, this subject matter comprises a spool-like table with identical end flanges, and a set of satellite stools similar in shape and proportions to the table, but on a reduced scale.

It is an object of the present invention to combine the subject matter of the said other application with auxiliary elements, to extend the range of usefulness. A further object is to provide for conventional forms of play and exercise, while diminishing the amount of equipment needed. A still further object is to provide a set of elements with a wide potential range of adaptability, whereby to encourage resourceful thinking among the young, as well as practical adaptation of ideas.

These and other ends, which will be apparent, are attained by the present invention, a preferred form of which is described in the following specification, as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a collective view, in perspective, of the several components of the construction set, in random arrangement,

FIGURE 2 is a view in perspective, of certain of the components, arranged as a teeter-totter,

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing a different arrangement, with small spools rolling by gravity down a ramp,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of certain of the parts assembled to form either a bench, or a wheeled vehicle with three wheel trucks,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view showing certain parts assembled to form a wheeled vehicle with two wheel trucks,

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view, to eniarged scale, taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2, and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, there is shown, in FIGURE 1, an assemblage of parts which includes a spool-like unit it The construction of this unit, which is described and claimed in my aforesaid co-pending application, is shown in greater detail in FIG- URE 7, and comprises identical, circular, end flanges 12, inner hubs 14 secured by screws 16, a bolt 18 joining the hubs, and a stack of wooden washers 2%; of identical size, mounted on the bolt. In the present invention, there has been added to the stack of washers 2d, a pair of out-size washers 22, spaced from the center of the stack of washers 29, on each side thereof, and which constitute limiting stops to prevent sidewise movement of the teeter-totter plank 24 (FIGURES 2 and 7).

In normal use the unit it) functions as a table, and for use as a teeter-totter mount, or bearing, the table is turned so that the center column of stacked washers 29, or axle, is horizontal, and the end discs 12 are tangential with the ground, as seen in FIGURE 1. The teeter board 24 is placed on the axle, between the out-size washers 22. In

order to holdthe board 24 against longitudinal displacement a set of four stops or cleats 26 are secured to one face of the board, near its center. These stops. are arranged in pairs at each side edge of the board, and the spacing longitudinally of the board is such that the stops, which are semi-cylindrical in form, make tangential contact with washers 29, or nearly so (FIGURE 6).

During use, children may hold onto the board by merely grasping the edges, but for additional security the board is provided, near each end, with a pair of elongate slots 28, near the side edges, through which the fingers may be extended upward from below.

Although a variety of fun and amusement is possible with the mount 10 left in free-rolling condition, considera tions of order and decorum, as well as safety, may demand a more stationary mount, and to this end there is provided a pair of blocks or shoes 30, with inwardly tapering end edges 32, and a concave, upper surface 34, with a concentric channel 36, adapted to snugly receive one of the discs 12. As seen in FIGURE 2, this provides a firm mounting for the spool 10, which defeats any tendency to roll. Mounting the spool in the shoes 30, or removing it therefrom is a simple operation, which resourceful youngsters will exploit to advantage.

A form of sport which is adapted for younger age groups is illustrated in FIGURE 3, wherein the teeter board is shown in the form of a ramp, with one end dwelling on the spool axle and the other end on the ground. This may be utilized after the manner of a roller coaster, by depositing on the ramp the spool-like stools 33, which are normally used in connection with the table 10. In FIGURE 3, the spool 38 is shown, in full lines, at about the point of deposit, near the top of the ramp, and in dash lines at a lower position to which it moves under the influence of gravity when released. The board 24 is retained against movement away from the spool axle by a series of semi-cylindrical stops 40, similar in size, shape and arrangement to stops 26 atthe center, but located near each end of the board. Thus either end of the board may be anchored to the axle in setting up the ramp. It will be understood that stop systems, such as the groups of cleats 26 and 40, may be provided additionally at other positions along the board, for several reasons, including varying the moment arms of the teeter-totter, as well as the slant of the ramp, and the wheel-base distances in the vehicles, which latter are to be presently described.

In another manner of use, the outer end of the ramp may be lifted, and employed as the tongue of a twowheeled cart, to be either pushed or pulled.

As shown in FIGURE 4, the board 24 may be converted to a low-silhouette vehicle by mounting it on three of the stools 38, the axles of the latter being received within the respective sets of steps 26 and 40. The youngsters may ride this vehicle while sitting, standing or lying down, or they may use it as a bench. In the latter case it will be more amusing than practical, since it will have sidegliding features, which might be invoked by one occupant at the expense of others.

For the case where a shorter vehicle is desired, as where space is limited, a shorter board 42 is provided, and this carries, near each end, a set of semi-cylindrical stops 44, similar to stops 44), and for the same purposes. As seen in FIGURE 5, the resulting vehicle is similar to that shown in FIGURE 4, but has two wheel carriages instead of three. In addition to being better adapted for limited spaces, this form is more readily maneuverable, and portable. -It may also be used as a one-foot skate, after the manner of a childs scooter.

The long and short vehicles may be coupled together, by suitable means, to form a train. In this case, there are only four stools, the long vehicle will not have the central wheel carriage.

The combinations of elements shown and described are mainly for illustrative purposes, and not intended to be limiting. Given the basic structural elements shown,

with main groups of circular structure and planar structure,the fertile minds of children will find no difliculty in enlarging the modes of use.

It is worth noting that the useful and variegated forms 7 of employment made possible by the present invention are effected in combination with the table and stool set which, in and of themselves provide a wide range of utility.

Generally speaking, whereas preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications will becomeapparent, in the light of this disclosure, and the I inventionslrould not, therefore, be deemed as limited, ex-

cept insofar as shall appear from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A convertible toy comprising, in combination, a spool-form device having a slender, central, cylindrical shaft, connected at its opposite ends to circular flanges, in co-axial relation therewith, said shaft having a radially the longitudinal center of the device, said device having sizes and proportions comporting with its use as a table for children when supported on one of said flanges, with said shaft upright, and a cooperating board of a width less than the spacing between said collars and a length substantially in excess of the diameter of said flanges, and a series of groups of cleats on one side of said board, with the'groups arranged in spaced relation along the board, and the cleats in each group arranged in rectangular configuration, with a'pair of cleats adjacent each side edge of the board, said cleats being semi-cylindrical in form with their diametral, plane surfaces attached to the board surface, and their axes arranged-laterally of the board.

2. device as in claim 1', said groups comprising a group near each end of the board, and a group at the center of the board.

3. A device as in claim 1, said groups comprising a group near each end of the board, and a group at the center of the board, and said board having slots for handgnipping near each side edge, at each end thereof, and each located substantially inwardly from an end of the board.

4. A device as in claim 1, said board having slots for hand-gripping near each side edge, at each end thereof, and each located substantially inwardly from the end of the board,

. extending collar located between each of said flanges and 5. A convertible toycomprising, in combination, a spool-form device having a slender, central, cylindrical shaft, connected at its opposite ends to circular flanges, in co-axial relation therewith, said 's'ha-ft having a radially extending collar located between each of said flanges and the longitudinal center. of thedevice, said device having sizes and proportions comportin-g with its use as a table for children when supported on one of said flanges, with said shaft upright, and a cooperating board of a width less than the spacing between said collars and a length substantially in excess of the diameter of said flanges, and a group of cleats on one side of said board, arranged in rectangular configuration, with a pair of cleats adjacent each side edge of the board, said cleats being semi-cylin drical in form withtheir diametral, plane surfaces attached to the board surface, and their axes arranged laterally of the board.

6. A device as in claim 5, said group being located substantially at the center of the "length of said board.

7. In combination with a device as in claim 1, a mounting means for said device comprising a pair of blocks having a fiat bottom, and an upwardly concave arcuate channel in its upper surface arranged in a plane perpendicular to the surface of said bottom.

8. In combinationwith a device as in claim 1, a mounting means for said device comprising at least one block having a flat bottom, and an upwardly concave arcuate channel in its upper surface arranged in a plane perpendicular to the surface of said bottom.

9. A device as in claim 8, said arcuate channel having a radius of curvature substantially the same as that of said flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS I Jacobs et a1 Aug. 15, 1922 

5. A CONVERTIBLE TOY COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SPOOL-FORM DEVICE HAVING A SLENDER, CENTRAL, CYLINDRICAL SHAFT, CONNECTED AT ITS OPPOSITE ENDS TO CIRCULAR FLANGES, IN CO-AXIAL RELATION THEREWITH, SAID SHAFT HAVING A RADIALLY EXTENDING COLLAR LOCATED BETWEEN EACH OF SAID FLANGES AND THE LONGITUDINAL CENTER OF THE DEVICE, SAID DEVICE HAVING SIZES AND PROPORTIONS COMPORTING WITH ITS USE AS A TABLE FOR CHILDREN WHEN SUPPORTED ON ONE OF SAID FLANGES, WITH SAID SHAFT UPRIGHT, AND A COOPERATING BOARD OF A WIDTH LESS THAN THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID COLLARS AND A LENGTH SUBSTANTIALLY IN EXCESS OF THE DIAMETER OF SAID FLANGES, AND A GROUP OF CLEATS ON ONE SIDE OF SAID BOARD, ARRANGED IN RECTANGULAR CONFIGURATION, WITH A PAIR OF CLEATS ADJACENT EACH SIDE EDGE OF THE BOARD, SAID CLEATS BEING SEMI-CYLINDRICAL IN FORM WITH THEIR DIAMETRAL, PLANE SURFACES ATTACHED TO THE BOARD SURFACE, AND THEIR AXES ARRANGED LATERALLY OF THE BOARD. 